ky

For some of you Kevin Young is a nobody, but for the people how know snowboarding scene since at least 5 years surely know KY for is great style and the Shorty's Snowboards Team (Yeah Shorty's was making snowboards). When I begin to buy snowboard mags KY was the man, you could see him in all the TWS . But since 2 or 3 years nothing. Now you should want to know what happens to him. I do this interview for people who did recognize him and people who didn't. To be honest Kevin Young was my favorite Snowboarder before Peter Line.

Born: 10/4/72
Height: 5'10''
Weight: 165 lbs
Stance: Goofy
Snowboard: Atlantis KY 157 & 163cm

Q: What was your childhood like?
A: The Best. I grew up in Toronto. I have three brothers. They're
age are 29, 26 abd 18. My dad got us involved in a lot of sports,
from running to hockey. I lived with both of my parents. They were
both very supportive of anything I wanted to do, which means
skateboarding and snowboarding.
Q: What are or who are your sponsors?
A: My first sponsor was a skate shop in Toronto called Rodent
Skates. They got me sponsored by Airwalk Canada in an effort to sell
more boots in Toronto. The same reason I got sponsored by
Weastbeach Clothing and then Powderstick Snowboards out of
Calgary Alberta. Before I left Toronto I had started riding for
Checkered Pig Snowboards. Tim Windell hooked me up at a demo
he did at my local ski resort.
Q: Do you ever won any contest? if yes where and when?
A: I have only won one contest in my proffessional career. It was the
Weastbeach Classic in 92. I battled it out with Sean Johnson and Jamie
Lynne. They got second and third. That was a long time ago.
Competitions played a large role in getting me sponsored, as well as
turning pro. After I had dedicated my time for filming.
Q: What was the most memorable moment of your career?
A: The most memorable moment of my career was getting my first pro model. It was with K2. It was their first cap board since the Gyrator, and at that point I had felt as if I had paid my dues.
Q: What do you like the most of being a pro?
A: I like most that I am living the life that I dreamed of. I like that I love my job and I have the opportunity create on and off the snow.
Q: What do you dislike the most of being a pro?
A: I dislike the uncontrollable factors of snowboarding. Like avalanches, weather and snow conditions.
Q: Do you have any hero or person you look up?
A: No.
Q: At school what kind of kid was your friend?
A: I had a lot of friends in High School. I think I had every "kind" of friend.
Q: In the last two years we didn't see you that much what happens to you?
A: I have been free riding. I think the fact of having a camera pointed at me every time I strapped began to get on my nerves. I needed to ride for myself. That was reflected in the amount of caverage that I received in the last couple of years. I think this was good in a way because I'm more stocked to film than ever been.
Q: Now you're riding for Atlantis but before you were at Shorty's with Devun Walsh, Chris Brown and Dionne Delesalle. What happens with Shorty's that was the best team in snowboarding like Forum now?
A: It was very unfortunate what happens with Shorty's. It all fell apart because of bad move business decisions by the owners and the people they trusted. The guys at Forum were smart enough to see what Shorty's didn't. Forum is an example of what Shorty's could become if they weren't so stupid. The friendship is still strong between the ex-team mates, nothing would change that. It was sick that four Canadians reprensented this big US skateboard company.
Q: What's your kind of music and what are your favorite bands?
A: I really like Jawbreaker, Pegboy, Radiohead, Decendents, Jets to Brazil. I like good music. Simple and Heavy. Old Metallica rules. I play in a band. I play guitar and I have to admit I am influenced by all type of music. I've heard sick opera, classical, hip hop, everything. Our band is called THenON, Marc Morisset is our singer. We are going start recording our shit in the next couple of weeks.
Q: If you have to say a word to the kids who wants to get better in snowboarding what it would be?
A: I would say tha visualisation is the most important part of learning anything. If you can't do it in your head you won't be able to do it on your snowboard. Progressionis the most satisfying part of snowboarding.

KY - feel free to write anytime. KY

Mike - Thanks. Mike